Kathy Duplessis

I have an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Proficiency Certificate in Child Care.

Professional Background:

I have worked and volunteered in the field of education since 1983 in Illinois, Montana and Idaho in day cares, preschools, and after school programs. I have also worked in the public schools as a substitute teacher, summer school aide and special education aide. For 12 years I worked in the Head Start Program-4 of those years as the Early Childhood Education Specialist. I was awarded Employee of the Year in 2001, Idaho Head Start Association Teacher of the Year in 2001, and Idaho Head Start Staff of the Year in 2005. I came to White Pine Charter School in 2007 and served as the Special Education Aide (Grades K-3) for 3 years at White Pine. 2013-2014 will be my 4rd year of teaching the Core Knowledge Academy at White Pine.

Community Involvement:

I have been the Chairperson for the local advisory board First Book-Bonneville County for 9 years helping to provide new books to needy children in our community. I joined this board in 2003 and was quickly elected Chairperson. Since then the Board has become an active, successful program with 14 Board Members and many Friends of the Board in our community. First Book provides books for non-profit agencies that serve low income children. In November of 2006 I was awarded the First Book Hero of the Month from the National First Book program. First Book-Bonneville County has been awarded the Senator Crapo Award of Excellence. Duties include volunteer recruitment, grant writing, fundraising, recipient group recruitment, and community outreach.

1999-2006 Help Inc.: Served on Advisory Board for Parents as Teachers Program.

2000-2002 Madison Community Council Member: Duties included attending meetings and community outreach.

1991-2002 Big Brother/Big Sister Volunteer Awarded Big Sister of the Year in 1995.

Why I teach:

I have always appreciated the saying “A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child."

Not only do I hope to help children develop the love of learning that I embrace but I have come to realize that the children are the ones who have made a difference in my life. I am excited about what I can learn from each individual no matter what age!